5Things to Know About Obama’s Record on Deportations

President Barack Obama has been called “deporter-in-chief” by immigration advocates angry about record-setting deportations. He’s also been vilified by conservatives as weak on immigration enforcement. Even in Washington, that makes for a stunning contrast. What’s the truth? As the Obama administration completes a review of deportation policy, with results expected soon, here are five things to consider when evaluating the Obama administration’s record on deportations:

1Border Enforcement Is Up

Formal deportations at the U.S. border have gone up under Mr. Obama, even as the number of people attempting to cross the border has fallen. Two-thirds of all deportations last year stemmed from border patrol apprehensions. That is partly because of a tough “zero tolerance” policy that puts large numbers of people who are trying to cross illegally into formal deportation proceedings, compared with a time when people were informally turned back. Another explanation: the Obama administration has made enforcement at border crossings a priority.

Reuters

2Deportations Are Down for Those Already Here

Deportations of people already in the U.S. have fallen under Mr. Obama, from about 238,000 in 2009 to 133,500 in 2013. That is partly because the administration has prioritized deportation of people with criminal records and prior immigration violations—and not immigrants with strong family ties who are settled in the U.S.

133,500

3Crime and Deportations Are Linked

Many undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. are identified through the Secure Communities program, whereby state and local law enforcement refer an increasing number of noncitizens to federal immigration authorities. But of those identified in the last five years, about 85% weren’t deported, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Of those who were, 75% had been convicted of a crime, the institute said.

75%

4Some Crimes Are Misdemeanors

Many of the people tagged as “criminals” have committed low-level crimes. Statistics from the Department of Homeland Security show that 82% of people removed from the interior have a criminal record, but nearly three out of 10 of these “criminals” are classified as “level 3,” meaning they have only been convicted of one or more misdemeanors.

Workers participate in the annual May Day march downtown Los Angeles May 1, 2014.

Associated Press

5Immigration Violations Are a Factor

An increasing number of people wind up being deported from inside the U.S. because they had an immigration-related violation on their record, such as failing to leave the U.S. after being ordered to leave, or being deported once before, another Obama administration priority group. Of the 133,500 interior removals last year, more than 10,000 had no criminal record but did have a prior immigration offense. Additionally, nearly 20,000 of the 31,000 “level 3” criminals also had an immigration violation, which likely made their case a priority.